Nationals' losing costs Acta job

Riggleman to lead team on pace for 100 losses

Combined wire services

Published 1:00 am, Tuesday, July 14, 2009

WASHINGTON — So much for the plan to have Manny Acta's patient optimism lead the Washington Nationals out of the doldrums. The abysmal won-loss record became too much to stomach, costing him his job at the All-Star break and adding another layer of instability to the worst team in baseball.

Acta was fired after the team reached the unofficial halfway mark of the season with a 26-61 record, on pace to clear the 100-loss mark for the second consecutive year. Acting general manager Mike Rizzo — himself an interim placeholder — announced Acta's dismissal Monday morning.

Acta was informed Sunday night after the team returned home following a 5-0 loss at Houston, Washington's seventh in 10 games. Bench coach Jim Riggleman, who has a 522-652 record over nine seasons managing the Padres, Cubs and Mariners, was named the interim replacement.

Acta joins Colorado's Clint Hurdle and Arizona's Bob Melvin as major league managers who have been fired this season.

"It was a great learning experience, I have no regrets," Acta said in a statement released by the team. "As I move forward, I wish the Nationals all the best."

Acta was 158-252 over 21/2 seasons in his first managerial job. The team's winning percentage dropped progressively from Year 1 until now, although his record had much to do with the talent — or lack thereof — assembled for him by the front office.

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